10 Useful Items to Keep in Your Car to Prevent the Spread of Viruses

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Motorists are taking precautions against the Wuhan coronavirus by wearing face masks while driving. However, there are other items that can prevent its spread too.

Earlier this week, we talked about various places in your car that can lead to germ build-up and therefore, the increased risk of falling prone to viruses.

Today, we’ll talk about how we can prevent the spread of these viruses by just keeping a few bare essentials in the car. These items are cheap investments that can save you time and money in the long run too.

Let’s get into it, shall we?

1. Face Masks

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There have been rumours of stocks of face masks running out due to the overwhelming number of people buying them to protect themselves from the Wuhan virus. If you happen to have extra masks, it’d be a good idea to keep some in your car.

Place a few face masks in a tightly-sealed Ziploc bag and tuck them safely into your glove compartment. This is an especially good investment for Grab, Gojek and Ryde drivers.

2. Trash Can

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After using a face mask, you will need someplace to throw it. Purchasing a small bin or using a bucket and lid from home is a quick fix for when you have some trash to dispose.

Simply line the bin with a plastic bag and toss your trash in there whenever necessary. Make sure that the bin has a lid so as to prevent spillage when you make sharp turns or drive on bumpy roads.

Remember to clear out the bin at the end of every day so you won’t have an unpleasant odour wafting through the vehicle!

If you’d prefer not to purchase a physical bin, you can use a big plastic bag for your trash. Just install some hooks on the headrest and hook the bag onto it.

3. Disinfectant Wet Wipes

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Not only do these smell nice, their alcohol content can help to kill germs that grow in various areas inside your car. By having a pack of these at the ready, you can be prepared for any messes that may occur in the car.

It’s advisable to clean up any messes immediately after they happen, or as soon as possible. Not cleaning them up as soon as possible can result in stains and attraction of pests, which can carry viruses on them, which is the exact thing we’re trying to prevent.

4. Tissue Boxes

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We can sometimes cough or sneeze in the car and it might be a waste to use a wet wipe to clean ourselves. Instead, have a box of tissue in the car in case of these trivial emergencies. They can also serve as helpful barriers for crumbs, should you or someone else need to eat in the car.

If you don’t have any tissue boxes on hand, try to keep a small packet in your bag or in your pocket. They will come in handy even outside the car.

5. Hand Sanitizer

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If you have kids or pets, handling them in the backseat can sometimes be messy, and you may feel the need to wash your hands. Unfortunately, our vehicles aren’t fitted with sinks. An easy way to “wash” your hands is by pouring some bottled water on them while you sit awkwardly with the door open.

Although, it can be hard to find a spot to open your door to wash your hands while on the road. An easy solution, no pun intended, is to use hand sanitizer. Unlike bottled water, hand sanitizer contains alcohol that kills germs, making them a good choice for fighting viruses.

While you should still practice washing your hands with soap, hand sanitizer is a good on-the-go alternative.

6. Silicone Cup Holder Liners

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Did you know that cup holders are one of the filthiest places in your car? They’re subject to liquids, crumbs and dust, which makes them an excellent breeding ground for germs, in turn making you fall sick.

Investing in silicone cup holder liners – or more accurately, cupcake liners – you can reduce the gross stuff from pooling in the bottom of your cup holders. Also, since we’re trying to save the earth, silicone liners are a better choice than paper liners as they’re reusable and durable.

7. Plastic Bags

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Quite possibly the most versatile item on the list – plastic bags. Like how you keep a plastic bag of plastic bags in your house, you should have one of these in your car as well.

Need to carry something? Grab a plastic bag.

Someone feeling car sick? Grab a plastic bag.

Filled up your trash bin and need a replacement? Grab a plastic bag.

Plastic bags also come in different sizes, which can serve different purposes. You can use them for almost anything and everything, and they can be folded and hidden away if you don’t want them out on display.

Staying clean and organized can help you fight viruses immensely.

8. Brushes

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There’s so many different kinds of brushes, but each kind has a purpose that you may not have thought of. Paintbrushes and toothbrushes can be used to clean your car too!

Paintbrushes, especially the smaller ones, have soft bristles that can sweep away spores found in your air vents. These spores are fungi, which are caused by accumulation of moisture in your vents, which occurs every time you switch on the air conditioning.

Toothbrushes have slightly tougher bristles in comparison. Grab an old, used toothbrush (that you’ve washed) and scrub out stubborn stains caused by spillage in the car. Moisture causes germs to fester, and we don’t want that. Try to keep everything as dry as possible.

9. Hand Vacuum

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If you really love your car, you’ll want to keep it as clean and presentable as possible. More often than not, dust or crumbs can settle into small crevices in between car seats and in hard-to-reach places.

Use a hand vacuum, aka a smaller portable vacuum cleaner, to suck up any crumbs left on your seats or on the floor. They’re also good at picking up small debris that could’ve fallen on the floor mats.

Try to find a vacuum that is mobile, meaning you don’t have to plug it in to use it. That way, you can use the vacuum freely and just charge it once you’re done.

10. Personal Medication

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Last but not least, bring along your own medication if you feel unwell. Even having a box of Panadol on standby will bode well for you in emergencies when you feel sick. If you or one of your passengers experience motion sickness, having some hard candy in the car can reduce their nausea temporarily.

Always remember to see a doctor when you feel unwell, and to take sick leave from work. With everyone on edge due to the Wuhan virus, it’s best that you stay home when you’re sick.

Overall, we as a country should band together to fight the spread of the coronavirus and take preventive measures to stop the virus from spreading further. Always practice good personal hygiene and take care of your loved ones.

Share this article with your fellow motorists and remember to stay safe!

Read More: These are the 7 Dirtiest Places in Your Car

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